Monday, September 21, 2009

President Obama campaigned on getting out of Iraq and fighting the real war, Afghanistan, but so far, there have been neither updates nor mission of this fight. This was a problem with the Bush Administration, no clear explanation of abandoning Afghanistan but fighting in Iraq, which turned out to be one of the biggest 21st century mistakes by any industrialized country.

The problem with Afghanistan is the same as Iraq, mission, troops and money being spent. The Obama Administration has not come out, yet, with the cost of Afghanistan and if it is around 10B as the estimated cost for Iraq, the public is not going to buy it. The generals in Iraq are now stating they need more troops, but the Obama Administration is hesitant about that one, since the public is souring fast on Afghanistan. Then with all the illegal events from the hands of Blackwater, the State Department extends their contracts, meaning we continue to rely heavy on contracting to assist in Afghanistan, as Iraq.

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan has reported to President Barack Obama that without more troops the U.S. risks failure in a war it's been waging since September 2001.

"Resources will not win this war, but under-resourcing could lose it," Gen. Stanley McChrystal wrote in a five-page Commander's Summary. His confidential 66-page report, sent to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Aug. 30, is now under review by Obama.

"Although considerable effort and sacrifice have resulted in some progress, many indicators suggest the overall effort is deteriorating," McChrystal said of the war's progress.

This rhetoric sounds very similar and familiar to me, just like Iraq, along with losing more servicemen daily in Afghanistan. Many Americans, by this time are war weary. With much going on in the public's private life, spending continuous money on a war with the real possibility of being a bust, like Iraq, will not sit well.

I understand the concept of getting Osama bin Laden, but at this point for me, it is too late. Sure, if we catch him great, but look at the money and expense it took and at the clip of eight years and counting.

Sooner than later the public is going to really start questioning the purpose of being in Afghanistan and catching bin Laden, almost nine years later won't be enough. All the money spent on bailouts, Wall Street, the banking industry, the auto industry, and the question mark on health care, many are questioning when is it going to end. The previous administration is definitely at fault for putting this country in a very bad position internationally and domestically, but Obama Administration better have a clear cut way of getting out of Afghanistan, if it is not in this country's best interest. And proof of this, well at least some proof, the public's taste and support for Afghanistan has dropped.

Finally, with all the money being spent for YEARS on Iraq and Afghanistan, with bailing out Wall Street the very cancer that put this country in the financial demise it is in, bailing out the auto industry that NEVER had a forward thinking thought, helping these banks which many Americans said to let them fail, when is this government, administration going to do the right thing and put the citizens first on the list. The proof will be the health care bill; this will be proof for many.

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